The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), which is responsible for the prosecution of crime in Scotland, has received a report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in connection with the death of Lesley Whitfield, aged 42, who died on 28 November 2018, in an incident involving a quad bike in a forest near Castle Douglas.
A COPFS spokesperson said: "The HSE investigation into the death is being considered by the Crown’s Health and Safety Investigation Unit (HSIU) and the family will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments."
A year previous to the tragedy, Unite had warned through its Forestry Commission lead rep Neil Grieve that in Scotland: “Private companies are doing some of the harvesting, road repairs and replanting. This could reduce the direct workplace and we are aware that, just like in Wales, the employees are not enjoying decent terms and conditions.
“They are being exploited by being employed on zero-hours contracts. For the first time in my 30 year career I have seen planting contractors who are living in tents in the forests.”
Whitfield was one of 32 killed across the agricultural, forestry and fishing sector, around 22% of the total deaths of 147 at work across the UK, in 2018/19. This sector is the most dangerous one and as of early November 2019 another 9 workers within it had lost their lives.
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